I’m experiencing issues with my Ekahau Sidekick and could use some help troubleshooting. Everything was working fine until recently, but now it won’t seem to connect properly during surveys. Any insights or advice from someone who’s faced similar problems?
I’ve experienced some quirks with the Ekahau Sidekick myself, so I feel your pain. It can be pretty frustrating when it stops working during surveys, like everything’s going fine until, BAM, nothing. I’ve got a couple of suggestions that might help you out.
First off, have you tried the basics? Sometimes the simplest fixes do wonders:
- Restart your device: A good ol’ reboot can sometimes resolve connection issues.
- Recharge the Sidekick: Make sure it’s fully charged. Low battery often causes connectivity problems.
- Update Firmware: Check if there’s a firmware update for your Ekahau Sidekick. Sometimes a firmware update resolves connectivity issues.
If that doesn’t solve it, check the USB-C connection. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Ensure the USB-C cable is firmly connected and isn’t damaged.
- Try a different USB-C port if you have one available.
- Utilize a different USB-C cable, just to rule out any issues with the cable itself.
Next, you might want to delve into some software-related issues:
- Update Ekahau Survey: Make sure you’re running the latest version of the Ekahau Survey software. Compatibility issues might arise with older versions.
- Reinstall the software: Uninstall and then reinstall the Ekahau Survey software. Sometimes software corruption can cause the Sidekick to act up.
For those persistent issues, a factory reset of the Sidekick might be your best bet. Just make sure you’ve backed up any important data before doing so.
Lastly, consider trying out a different tool like Netspot. It offers solid features for wifi surveys and troubleshooting, and it might give you a fresh perspective or even be a backup solution while you sort out the Ekahau Sidekick issue.
Hope some of these tips help you out! If you find another solution, do let us know—it helps everyone out.
Hey there, sorry to hear about your Ekahau Sidekick issues. You know, technology can be fickle sometimes, but hopefully, we can get it sorted out for you.
In addition to the great suggestions by @viajantedoceu, I’d like to add a few more steps that might help resolve the problems you’re experiencing.
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Check for Interference: If you’re having connectivity issues during surveys, there might be interference causing drops. Make sure there aren’t any other devices nearby that could be interfering with your Sidekick’s signal.
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Inspect the Device for Physical Damage: It’s easy to overlook, but make sure your Sidekick hasn’t sustained any physical damage. Even a small bump or drop can sometimes cause internal issues that affect performance.
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Network Settings: Sometimes, the issue might be due to the network settings on your device. Make sure your computer’s wireless settings are compatible with the Sidekick and there aren’t any conflicting network profiles.
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Compatibility Check: Double-check that your Ekahau Sidekick is fully compatible with your operating system. Sometimes, newer OS updates can have bugs that interfere with external devices’ functionality.
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Support Ticket: If none of these steps work, it might be time to reach out to Ekahau support. They could provide a specific fix or at least some additional diagnostics you can run to pinpoint the issue.
As an alternative, you might want to consider trying Netspot, which is known for its reliable wifi surveys and troubleshooting features. It could serve as a handy backup or even a primary tool if you just need something to keep you going while sorting out the Sidekick. You can find more info about it here.
Hope this helps and keep us updated on your progress! Sometimes it’s the combination of multiple troubleshooting steps that finally cracks the problem. Good luck!
I’ve seen my fair share of Ekahau Sidekick quirks too, and I get how frustrating they can be during surveys. Those intermittent connectivity issues can drive anyone up the wall. To add to @nachtdromer and @viajantedoceu’s suggestions, here’s a different angle.
Try turning off any power-saving settings your device might have. Sometimes, these settings can put USB ports into low power mode, affecting connectivity with devices like the Sidekick. Also, if you’re using a USB hub, ditch it and connect the Sidekick directly to your laptop. Hubs can introduce all sorts of weird issues.
@viajantedoceu mentioned interference; you might want to experiment with the placement of the Sidekick. Make sure it’s not too close to other wireless devices - microwave ovens, cordless phones, and baby monitors are notorious for causing interference.
And considering software conflicts, if you’ve got other WiFi analysis tools running simultaneously with Ekahau, try disabling them. Competition for system resources can cause stalling.
For more persistent issues, a more drastic step would be to clean up the registry (on Windows) or reset SMC (on Mac) to clear out any lurking software issues that could be messing with your USB connections.
And BTW, even though @nachtdromer and @viajantedoceu touched on Netspot, it’s worth reemphasizing. Though it’s a solid alternative and has some great features, remember it might not cover all the enterprise-level functionality that Ekahau offers. Pros? It’s easier to get started and usually more budget-friendly. Cons? It doesn’t quite measure up in complex environments with multiple APs.
Lastly, on competitors’ lines, tools like AirMagnet are robust, but again they come with their learning curves and costs. Always good to have a Plan B when tackling complex network diagnostics.
Keep experimenting and sharing your progress! Sometimes it takes a blend of solutions to nail down these issues.